Functional Skills Level 2 for Apprenticeships: Everything You Need to Know

Every UK apprentice must hold Level 2 in both Maths and English (or GCSE grade 4) before they can pass their end-point assessment. If your apprentice or you do not have it, the apprenticeship cannot be certified. This guide covers what apprentices, employers and training providers need to know – and how to get it sorted in weeks rather than months.

The apprenticeship rule in plain English

Under current Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) rules, all apprentices must achieve Level 2 in English and Maths before they can complete their apprenticeship and pass end-point assessment. There are very limited exceptions for some learners with prior qualifications or specific exemption circumstances.

This applies to:

• All Level 2 apprenticeships
• All Level 3 apprenticeships
• All Level 4+ apprenticeships
• All ages, although under-19s have additional protections

If your apprentice does not hold Level 2 in both subjects already (and has not been given a specific exemption), Functional Skills Level 2 is the standard route to get there.

For apprentices: how to fit this around your apprenticeship

The good news: Functional Skills Level 2 is designed to fit around work. Three options depending on how much time you can commit:

The fast route – 5-Day Revision Course (£19.99 per subject): Pre-recorded video lessons you watch in evenings or weekends. Total content is around 5-10 hours per subject. You can complete a subject in a weekend if you are focused. Suitable if you already have some maths or English foundation.

The structured route – 10-Week Online Course (£197 per subject): Live one-hour lessons on Saturday morning or Thursday lunchtime. Built for people working full time. Every session is recorded so missing one is fine. Suitable if you want proper teaching and weekly practice with a tutor.

The complete route – Complete Package (£450): Both subjects, both 10-week courses, both 5-day revision courses, both exams. Klarna spreads the cost over 3-4 payments. Suitable if you want it all sorted in one go.

For employers: why this matters to you

If your apprentice does not complete Level 2, three things happen:

• The apprenticeship cannot be certified
• You cannot claim the completion payment from your levy or co-investment
• In some cases, previously-paid funding can be subject to clawback

The cost of getting Level 2 sorted at the start of an apprenticeship is significantly less than the cost of dealing with non-completion at the end. Two practical actions:

1. Audit your apprentice cohort now. Who already has GCSE grade 4 in both subjects? Who has Level 2 already? Who has neither? The third group needs to start their Functional Skills journey now, not in month 11.

2. Build Functional Skills into the apprenticeship plan from day one. A 10-Week Course running alongside the first quarter of the apprenticeship is far less disruptive than a panic scramble at the end.

For training providers: working with Functify Learning

If you are a Main Provider or Subcontractor working with apprentices who need Functional Skills Level 2, we work with multiple training providers across the UK. We can:

• Offer bulk enrolment discounts for cohorts of apprentices
• Provide progress reports for your QAR submissions
• Coordinate exam booking around your end-point assessment timelines
• Co-deliver Speaking and Listening assessments where required

WhatsApp us on 07572 923116 or email info@functifylearning.co.uk to discuss subcontracting or partnership arrangements.

Common apprentice scenarios

“I am 6 months into my apprenticeship and have just been told I need Level 2 Maths.”
You have time. Enrol on the 10-Week Course this week, and you will have your certificate well before your end-point assessment. Or take the 5-Day Course route and be exam-ready in two weeks.

“My end-point assessment is in 6 weeks and I do not have Level 2 yet.”
Tight but doable. Enrol on the 5-Day Course today. Sit a mock test next week. Book the exam for two weeks from now. Get the certificate in time.

“I failed my GCSE Maths twice at school – can I really pass this?”
Yes. Most of our 92% first-time pass rate is made up of people exactly like you. Functional Skills tests applied maths in real-world contexts – it is fundamentally different from GCSE and most adults find it more accessible.

“I need both Maths and English.”
The Complete Package at £450 is significantly cheaper than buying components separately. With Klarna you can spread that across 3-4 payments.

Frequently asked questions

The bottom line

Functional Skills Level 2 is the route every UK apprentice takes if they do not already hold GCSE grade 4. It is fast, it fits around full-time work, and it is significantly cheaper than the alternatives. Get it sorted at the start of the apprenticeship rather than at the end.

For more on the qualification itself, read the complete guide to Functional Skills Level 2 or check the Complete Package which covers both subjects.